A recent security report has revealed that cybercriminals are becoming more intelligent and sophisticated … leading to some concerning trends.

Firstly, cyber attacks are becoming faster than ever. The breakout times (the time it takes for a criminal to move within your network after initially gaining access) have significantly decreased (from an average of just 62 minutes compared to 84 last year), and it highlights a new record breakout time of just two minutes and seven seconds.

That’s barely enough time to grab a coffee, let alone mount a defence!

Secondly, attacks are becoming more common. The report has identified 34 new cyber criminal groups, bringing the total number of groups tracked by the company to over 230.

However, the real issue is that the human factor is increasingly becoming the primary entry point for these cyber attacks.

They will attempt to persuade your employees to click a link in a phishing email, redirecting them to a fake login page. Once your employee enters their real login details, they have inadvertently handed them over. Alternatively, they may pretend to be someone your team trusts. This is known as social engineering.

So, how can you protect your business from these cyber threats?

EDUCATE YOUR EMPLOYEES

Ensure your team knows the latest cyber threats and how to identify them. Regular training sessions can go a long way in preventing costly mistakes.

IMPLEMENT STRONG PASSWORD POLICIES

Encourage using complex random passwords generated and remembered by password manageres. Use multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security (this is where you use a second device to confirm it IS you logging in).

KEEP YOUR SYSTEMS UPDATED

Ensure all software and systems are updated with the latest security patches. Cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities, so staying current is key.

INVEST IN CYBER SECURITY SOFTWARE

Consider investing in reputable cyber security software that can help detect and mitigate threats in real-time.

BACK UP DATA

Regularly back up your data and store it in a secure location to help minimise downtime and data loss in the event of a cyber attack.